TN could delay work of health law navigators

Sep. 15, 2013

Written by

The Tennessean

Navigators, the federal contract workers tasked with doing outreach to let people know about medical coverage opportunities under the federal health law, could face a last-minute hurdle from the state of Tennessee.

With just over two weeks before the navigators are supposed to start work, the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance is still writing rules on how to regulate them. The legislature passed a law this year prohibiting navigators from selling, soliciting or negotiating any insurance policy.

The Tennessee Primary Care Association, the membership association for community health clinics, and Seedco, a national organization that works to help low-income people gain economic prosperity, are running the navigator programs in this state.

Apparently, state officials are concerned that the organizations may not do background checks or provide appropriate training.

“Navigators are in a position of influence and we want to deter bad actors from assuming the role of navigator and taking advantage of Tennesseans,” Kate Abernathy, public information officer for the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, said in an email.

“We want navigators to register with the TDCI. The registration process would ensure that individuals with criminal records are not allowed to be a navigator (particularly individuals with a history of theft or fraudulent activity) and reinforce the prohibition of selling, soliciting or the negotiation of any policy of insurance by a navigator. Ultimately, we want navigators to serve as impartial information hubs.”

The rules were still being written last week and will have to go before a review committee, Abernathy said.

The state has no plans to actually license navigators, she said.

Officials with organizations seeking to sign up people for health coverage are worried that the state may try to delay them from implementing this part of the Affordable Care Act.

Community health clinics also have added counselors to their staffs to help people gain coverage.